What Self Care Means to Us!
LINDSEY STALLCUP - YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Self care to me means shutting off my brain and focusing on my body for a few hours. I like to run, weight lift, do yoga, aerial arts, walk my dog(s), really any activity to get me moving. It allows me to take the time to listen to my body and give it what it needs, which actually helps my mental health. If I can give my body, my center, my vessel care and love, that’s one less thing I have to worry about going along in my daily life.
ROGER HOVERSON - PILATES INSTRUCTOR
An important aspect of self care is learning to say no to spending your energy on things that do not serve you.
RACHEL SWAN - YOGA INSTUCTOR
My favorite forms of self care: Time alone. Time to roam, Time to think. Unspent time. Besides that, self care usually comes in two forms, being outdoors and a very regular yoga practice. It’s simple. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Time. Nature. Movement.
MERE GREEN - YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Beside the obvious of eating right, getting enough sleep and exercise, and speaking kindly to yourself! (What kind of chatter is going on in that head of yours?)
It also means just taking a few extra moments to adjust. This month’s puppy yoga pose (Instagram fun) was revolved triangle. A pose i always need to adjust my hip back creating more space and length for my torso.
It reminded me of self care. Adjust in a pose to make it right for your body, adjust before you make a quick response, adjust before you snap judgement. In other words Pause - check out the ‘alignment’. Take your time and breath your way to a better understanding, deeper level of patience, better perspective. The more you do this on the mat the easier it will come to you off the mat.
Take pause - make a shift - find more space to grow! Self care that helps not only yourself but those around you ❤️
PENNY MOSS - MASSAGE THERAPIST
When asked about self care, I take the approach that surrounds rest and relaxation. All the busy that transpires in a given day can leave anyone exhausted. For me it is important (or more necessary) to allow myself to nap. Secondly, I take moments to clear my mind (I call them mini breaks). I can get caught up in solving the world's problems to the point I tense up, so just stopping and deep breathing for one minute calms me. And last, I plan a bath with Epsom salt each week to sooth my tired muscles.
JESSIE BISHOP - STUDIO MANAGER / YOGA INSTRUCTOR
The trick to self care, is doing it BEFORE you need it. Do I ever get it done in time? Like most of us, the answer is emphatically no. But, as I’ve worked in the wellness industry, I’ve really learned that preventative measures are better than trying to find a fix.
Self care varies for all people. It’s all about finding what helps you! Some days, self care looks like a trip to the gym for an intense workout; other days, it’s a loooooong nap. Learning to listen to your body and mind, recognizing the signs of fatigue before they hit you is another important part of self care!
It can be physical care (like a massage, yoga class, walk, etc).
It can be emotional care (like extra pancakes for breakfast, meditation, kind words, etc).
It can be spiritual care (like a motorcycle ride, and petting a cute dog).
It can be whatever YOU need it to be.
